Part 34 (1/2)
Faith tried to cheer her, but she was almost crying herself. Another shock like this would have brought on hysterics. It had been a dreadful trial to her to keep that strange conversation from her mother, but now she was profoundly thankful that she had been able to do so, and almost involuntarily she whispered a prayer that no word of hers might ever disturb her dear mother's confidence in her only brother.
The thought of no more work did not once enter her mind. It was with some difficulty that her mother finally got her to talk about their good fortune.
”It is not for myself that I am most thankful,” said Mrs. Marvin, ”but I am so glad that you can be at home once more! No more wearing out soul and body in the service of others.”
Faith looked at her thoughtfully before she answered.
”How soon can we have the money?” she asked.
”Right away,” said Mrs. Marvin; ”it is invested in this city. I have only to be identified at the bank by my brother.”
”I am very glad, mother,” was Faith's smiling reply, ”for now we can hire a better flat and have a woman to do the work and look after everything, but about my working, dear, please don't think of that just now--really I seem to feel a little bit sorry to think that there is no need of my working.”
”You mean that you are interested in those poor girls, I suppose.” said her mother. ”Well, there will be other ways to help them now--you need not work among them.”
”But I am sure that it is the best way to be of use to them,” said Faith quickly. ”If they thought I had money they would not accept me seriously. They would say, as they have said of other rich women, that my interest is a 'fad' and that I could 'afford to talk religion with my pocket full of money.'”
”You have learned their arguments quickly,” said Mrs. Marvin with a smile, ”but listen, Faith! There is some one in the hall! It is possible that Charles has returned for something.”
Faith opened the door, nervously, but a look of relief soon crossed her face. The second caller was none other than young Mr. Denton.
”Thank goodness, I've found you!” exclaimed the young man coolly. ”I've been wandering around these halls for the past half hour, either I'm awfully stupid or the bells are all wrong, for I've rung them all and n.o.body has answered! You should supply your friends with compa.s.ses and charts, Miss Marvin, so they won't get lost when they come to see you!”
Faith had to smile, although she was a trifle indignant. She could not imagine what had brought the young man to her apartments.
”Did you wish to see me about anything?” she asked bluntly as her thoughts flew instinctively to the poisoned candy. ”If you do, please come in, and I will be glad to listen.”
”I do, indeed,” responded the young man. ”I should not have dreamed of intruding upon you without a very good reason.”
Faith was almost sure it was the candy now, although she had been a.s.sured by his father that he had been told nothing about it.
As she introduced him to her mother, she was anxious and excited, and one conjecture as to his errand followed swiftly after another. When they were seated Mr. Denton started at once on his errand, and as he talked he gazed at Faith earnestly, as though trying to read her emotion.
”My errand is a purely personal one,” he began, ”and you ladies may think it a selfish one also, but the fact is I have come for a little a.s.sistance. I want you, Miss Marvin, to help me reason with my father.”
Faith made an exclamation of unfeigned surprise.
”I don't understand,” she said slowly. ”What is wrong with your father, Mr. Denton?”
”That's what I'd like to know,” was the emphatic answer, ”but between you and I, it's my opinion that he's crazy!”
Mrs. Marvin and Faith both stared at him curiously, for this time there was more sadness than disrespect in his language.
”Listen to this,” he went on quickly, ”and see if I am not right! I will put the situation before you without a particle of exaggeration.”
”Wait!” said Mrs. Marvin. ”What does all this concern us, sir? Are you not doing wrong to talk to strangers about your father's business?”
A smile pa.s.sed over the young man's features, and he turned toward Faith with a glance of admiration.